Ashley Cole has completed his free transfer move to Roma. The 33-year-old left-back, a free agent following his release by Chelsea, had been linked with a number of teams both in the Premier League and in Europe.

Cole, who has signed a two-year contract with an option for a third season, flew to Rome on Monday, with Roma posting a photo on their Twitter feed, with the message: “Welcome to Rome, Ashley!”.

He underwent a medical before travelling to Roma’s Trigoria headquarters to sign a contract that will reportedly net him £3.65m in wages.

Cole left Arsenal in May 2000 as part of a deal that saw William Gallas join the Gunners, and spent eight seasons with Chelsea, during which he won the Champions League, Europa League, Premier League and four FA Cups.

He earned 107 England caps but announced his retirement from international football before the World Cup after he was left out of Roy Hodgson’s squad for the finals in Brazil.

At Roma his mission will be to boost the fortunes of a side who improved from sixth to second place in Serie A following Rudi Garcia’s appointment as coach last summer. Champions League football will return to the Stadio Olimpico later this year.

Roma led the table in the early part of the 2013-14 campaign after winning 10 consecutive games but results dropped off, allowing Juventus to overhaul them and clinch a third straight title.

Cole was the second new arrival on Monday, with the Fenerbahce midfielder Salih Ucan joining on a one-year loan.

Roma will pay the Turkish club £3.8m to have the player next season and can extend the loan for a second campaign at no further cost. They will then have the option to purchase the player in the summer of 2016 for an additional £8.75m.